“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” – John 14:21
There’s a BIG difference between “liking” Jesus (in the social media sense) and loving Jesus. What’s that difference? Obedience! Jesus isn’t just our best friend and Savior. He’s also our Lord and should rightfully be in charge of all aspects of our lives (for our good!). We demonstrate our love for Jesus by trusting His Lordship. We demonstrate our love for Jesus by obeying what He commanded – everything He commanded (not just the parts we like best).
Why obey Jesus? First and foremost because we love Him. He’s also given us wonderful assurances when we’re finally ready to stop loving ourselves and our desires more than we love Jesus and His commands. As we grow in our love (and obedience) to Jesus we grow in our experience of God’s love, joy, and pleasure. As we grow in our love and obedience to Jesus we grow in His love for us.
This greater experience of Christ’s love doesn’t come because we somehow earn it or deserve it (we never will). Rather, it comes because we’re open to it. By yielding to Christ’s Lordship we more fully open our hearts, minds, and souls up to Christ’s love, letting it work deeply into every aspect of our being.
As we obey Jesus and enjoy greater awareness and experience of His love, Jesus also promises that we’ll enjoy greater awareness of Him. Jesus reveals Himself to us as we orient our lives toward truly following Him. We feel His presence and pleasure. We know He’s always with us. We become more delighted in our constant union with Him. As we love Jesus we obey Jesus. As we obey Jesus, we see Jesus. Are you ready to more fully obey Christ’s commands? Do you know how?